The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-28
THE OLD LOG CABIN.
A Graphic Description of a Pioneers Home In
the Wilderness.

a Graphic Description of Pioneers Home In
| the Wilderness
Judge B. Julian, at Old Settlers meeting at Sugar
| Plain. Boone County, Aug 8.
| The ordinary log cabin about eighteen feet
square In rare cases it contained more than
one room, as general rule but It was
built OF round logs poles. sometimes. though
not often, dressed off a little after its erection
1t was one-story high. covered with clapboards
about four feet long, split out of oak her.
which, instead of being nailed down, were kept
in their places by heavy pieces of tim Der, called
weight poles" which were kept at suitable dis
tances apart by the of small sticks of wood
| called 'knees." The boards rested logs ex-
tending from end of the building to the other
| each one ascending higher than its predecessor,
| as the gable went up. thus giving to the roof
| the right pitch. These were called ribs" ex-
cept. the one forming the apex Of the roof,
vent the first tier OF boards from slid
ing off. there was placed on each
side a split log for them to rest against called
the ''huttlng pole" These rested on the ends Of
logs projecting out from the corners of the
house. called leaves bearers" When any floor.
other than that provided by nature was used it
was made of large slabs split out of poplar or
ash trees. and dressed off on side smooth
ly as was practicable with broad-ax This was
called ''puncheon" floor and first
nned to families OF arstocratic pretenslons, but
gradually came into general There
but one door. the shutter to which was made of
clapboards and hung on wooden hinges. with a
latch on the inside of the material to
which attached leather string, which,
through small aperture in the shutter, was
made to hang invltingly the outside; the
truest indication of genuine hospitality being
the fact that ''tha latch-string was out" Gener-
ally there was one window. made by cutting
out the upper and under halves of
vacant WITH creased paper, often such as had
been written at school. The lower part of
the chimney was built of thick-h ewed pieces of
timber, or heavy slabs, lined the inside with
a thick coat of clay, Of which material the
hearth also made. The upper part was
built OF small split pieces of timber about the
0f NatL a l. ST..
and straw, the inside being smoothed off with
the hands of the builder cover up the
wood as far as possible. 1t was a nice job to
build one of these chimneys. and the man who
succeeded well in it became considerable man
in the community, and exceedingly popular
with the women, who were then as now bitterly
opposed to smoky chimneys." The openings
between the logs were stopped with email pieces
of split timber called ''chinks," TO which WINS
added mortar made of common clay,
workmen No cabin was ever con-
sdered finished until it ''chnksd" and
''daubed. Not brick nail, plank glass single
was used in one of these early homes Of our
forsfathers. and such a thing paint or wall
paper not dreamed o.. The internal fitting
up was quite as economical and ingenious. On
one side of the spacious Fireplace just under
the window have described, small
table, sometimes brought by the family from
their old home but generally made on the spot
out of slabs and clapboards attached to each
other. A few shelves in the opposite
answered the purpose OF cupboard in which to
perhaps at the side of the window. suspend
ed over piece of paper pasted the wall, a
very useful and ingenious continuance pro-
nounced '.huzzeff." in which stuck the pins
and needles of the family, and in the capacious
pockets of which the entire family of combs, big
and little, coarse and fine, together with an
weqe Abono this in e1sep
tional cases. where the parties were
rich, small looking glass perched. In
most cases there were three beds in the room. in
corner with its foot towards the fireplace, and
one placed crosswise between them. On the
wall, behind the beds, was hung the entire
ing apparel of the family, from the Oldest to the
youngest including that OF the daughters whose
claim to the favor of the young gentlemen, de-
pended on the extern. of their wardrobe. we'll
the spun wool, flax and tow of which
they could boast. all of which, suspend
ed from tie ioisss above, their judicious mothers
proudly exhibited to the admirng gaze of their
suitors, many evidences of their matri-
monial fitness. These were sensible mothers.
OF course their daughters did not remain long
in the market. To use a commercial phrase
they TAKEN"
Just over the door rested the much needed
rife; and on rack suspended from the ioists in
front of the fire place hung up to dry any
quantity OF Yankee pumpkins. cut out in rings,
resembling miniature wagon wheels without
hubs spokes In the loft" as it is called,
were stored away the sage and catnip of the
women. and the hickory nuts and walnuts Of the
junior Hoosiers. On the outside wall were
stretched the skins OF divers 'svarmints," and in
the chimney corner, under few projecting
boards the pillow and gears laid away to
rest. Though this description is believed to be
fair of this class of pioneer homes through
out the West, it is taken from one
terville in Wayne county, in which
they spent the morning of their married lives
and in which was born. God bless the dear
old place! The log-ca bin was nnpretentious
home. It the best. however, the pioneer at
the time could command. and he was content.
1t was place for the exhibition of pride or
style Neither rated very high in these
early homes of our ancestors. Com blning the
parlor si,ting-room, bedroom. dining room and
kitchen in room, it sufficient for all
purposes If a neighbor family was to be enter
tanned there was ample room and all were made
welcome. If there was to be a log-rolling or
corn husking. the whole neigh borhood turned
out, including the women, who went to help
cook. and the room ample. If there was to
be a wool picking or quilting, to which the men
sometimes invited, especially the young
ard unmarried ones. the room was abundant and
everything was lovely.